OP-ED: Belgian Migration Minister ignores Constitutional Court ruling…and is met with almost no political resistance
By Helene Asselman One may wonder why it still comes as a surprise that measures aimed at deterring people on the move not only cross every boundary of decency but increasingly also breach legal limits. However, many a lawyer both in and outside the migration sector...
EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: UN expresses alarm over violations against people on the move in Egypt ― Israeli court suspends government’s ban on NGOs operating in Gaza and West Bank ― UN reports almost 700,000 people displaced in Lebanon ― NGO raises concerns about integration of people on the move in Morocco
A group of experts from the United Nations (UN) has expressed alarm over violations against people on the move in Egypt. The Supreme Court of Israel has suspended the government’s recent decision to order a large number of NGOs to halt their operations in Gaza and the...
BELGIUM: Constitutional Court suspends restrictive asylum procedures; Minister refuses to comply ― More than 43,000 unaccompanied minors reported in 10 years ― Increase in small boat departures from coast
A federal government minister has defied a court ruling that ordered the suspension of a number of asylum measures. A new report has revealed that more than 43,000 unaccompanied minors were reported to the Federal Public Service Justice’s Guardianship Service between...
POLAND: NGO report reveals extent of pushbacks on Poland-Belarus border ― Prime Minister boasts about possibility of laying mines on eastern border ‘within 48 hours’ ― End of special status for Ukrainian refugees
A new NGO report has revealed high numbers of pushbacks and violence against people on the move on Poland’s eastern borders. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that Poland would be able to start laying mines along its border with Russia following its...
Fourth Anniversary of the Activation of the Temporary Protection Directive
Wednesday 4 March marked the fourth anniversary of the activation of the EU Temporary Protection Directive (TPD). Originally adopted in 2001, the TPD was activated on 4 March 2022 in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to the latest data...
EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: UN publishes damning report on ‘systematic’ abuse of people on the move in Libya ― Increase in arbitrary arrests and unlawful deportations of people on the move in Egypt ― UN reaffirms support for authorities in Türkiye despite NGO concerns about rights violations
A new United Nations report has highlighted the extent of human rights violations and abuses that are being committed against people on the move in Libya. The unlawful detention and deportation of people on the move in Egypt appears to have increased in recent months....
BALKAN ROUTE: New NGO monitoring report on arrivals in Trieste ― Council of Europe publishes report on detention centres in Bosnia and Herzegovina ― EU Court rules against Bulgaria’s application of ‘Safe Third Country’ principle ― Another death on Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina border ― European Court rules against Serbia for unlawful detention and expulsion of Afghan asylum applicants
A new NGO monitoring report has provided the latest data on arrivals in the city of Trieste on the Italy-Slovenia border. The Council of Europe’s European Committee for the Prevention of Torture has published the report of its September 2024 visit to Bosnia and...
MEDITERRANEAN: Deadly start to the year for people on the move ― Council of Europe publishes report on Cypriot reception centre ― Greece issues new arrest warrant for Norwegian humanitarian ― NGO report highlights alarming situation on Crete and Gavdos ― Italian government approves another draft law targeting NGOs ― NGO criticises use of detention in Malta
The first six weeks of 2026 have been the deadliest start to a year in the Mediterranean since the International Organization for Migration began collecting data in 2014. The Council of Europe’s European Committee for the Prevention of Torture has published the report...